Gridley man confesses to Hit-and-Run Death of Bicyclist

Tuesday

Dec 4, 2012 at 12:38 PMDec 4, 2012 at 12:41 PM

District Attorney Mike Ramsey announced Tuesday charges have been filed against a 71-year-old Gridley farm manager for the November 14, 2012 death of a bicyclist on the Midway north of Durham at Roble Road.

District Attorney Mike Ramsey announced Tuesday charges have been filed against a 71-year-old Gridley farm manager for the November 14, 2012 death of a bicyclist on the Midway north of Durham at Roble Road. Ramsey said charges of felony hit-and-run causing death and felony insurance fraud were filed today against Anton “Tony” Mardesich after an extensive California Highway Patrol investigation was delivered to his office yesterday.

Ramsey said Mardesich will appear in Butte County Superior Court tomorrow afternoon where he is expected to plead guilty to the charges involving the death of Rick Butler Magee, 61, of Durham. Magee and his long-time friend and partner were riding their bicycles north on the Midway near Roble Road on the east shoulder about 3 p.m. when a least one witness saw a silver SUV also traveling north, go off the road and strike Magee’s bicycle, throwing him through the air forward past his friend’s lead bicycle. The vehicle was last seen continuing to drive north over the overpass on the Midway. Magee suffered massive head trauma from his head hitting the pavement and he later was pronounced dead at Enloe Hospital where he was taken.

For the full story, please see the Friday (12/7/12) edition of The Gridley Herald.